SLOVENIA NIPS UNDERMANNED ALGERIA

Soccer betting enthusiasts that backed the favored European side received a +125 payout for Slovenia’s victory.  Takeback on Algeria was +260, with the draw priced at +230.  The single goal went well UNDER the posted total of 2’ and continued a low scoring trend that had made the 2010 World Cup the lowest scoring in history up to this point.  With their Group C seeding pitting them against England and the USA, neither team received much consideration in World Cup future wagers—Slovenia was priced at +60000 to win the tournament with Algeria at +70000.

Once again, the new Adidas World Cup ball either determined the outcome of this contest or served as a scapegoat depending on your viewpoint.  Robert Koren scored the only goal of the game when his long range shot was misjudged by Algerian keeper Fawzi Chaouchi and bounced off his arm into the net.  On Saturday, England goalkeeper Robert Green misplayed a relatively routine save that allowed the United States to tie their Group C opener.  Afterwards, many on the British side placed the blame on the Adidas ball and its unpredictable bounces that have been exacerbated by the South Africa altitude.

To his credit, Algeria’s coach Rabah Saadane didn’t made excuses though he did suggest that the flight of the new ball was a difficult adjustment for goalkeepers:

"Everyone saw what happened with the ball, and what happened yesterday with England's goalkeeper. You have to adjust to the flight of the ball."

Slovenia’s coach Matjaz Kek was just happy to get the win:

"It was a mental victory. We wanted to win so much, so it's great for our confidence to get that win."

Algeria’s Saadane now must prepare his team to face the formidable challenge of England:

"We must recover and prepare for an even more difficult match against England, which is the best of the group. It's going to be very difficult now. We had a great opportunity today and we missed it."

Algeria will play England on Friday before their final game of the group stage against the United States on June 23.  Slovenia will play the Americans on Thursday, before the conclude Group C play against England.